Summer Learning Loss...Is it Real? What Can We Do?

 May 17, 2019

Absolutely.  It is real, but there is a remedy! Many students who are not avid readers or who haven't had real-world work experience throughout the summer, generally return to school and desperately need a review of the most basic strategies in Language Arts, Math, and Science.

The best method of engaging young people to continue learning throughout the summer is to point them towards ideas that truly interest them. Brooking Institute gives this suggestion, "... offer engaging options for students over the summer so that summer learning programs do not feel like punishment for students who would rather be enjoying summer vacation.  Doing so would set more students up for success as the school year gets underway. (https://www.brookings.edu/research/summer-learning-loss-what-is-it-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/)

SummerLearning.org has found that:
• Summer learning loss, which is disproportionate and cumulative, contributes substantially to the achievement gap.
 • Students who attend summer programs have better outcomes than similar peers who do not attend these programs

Simple programs such as Vacation Bible school, supervised visits to the library to explore (most libraries are building an elaborate graphic novels section which adolescence seem to gravitate towards.  For older youths, becoming a junior counselor at a summer camp also continues the trend of learning through teaching. 

The overall goal is to NOT allow children to simply sit inside all summer focused on the small screen of their phone nor the lure of a video game playing binge. As parents and educators, if we want our young people to truly excel we will get them off the couch and out into creation. To influence them to be life long learners, we too must do the same.
If you are in the DFW area, please click the link to find activities (some even FREE) to attend throughout the summer!
https://www.visitdallas.com/things-to-do/events/children-family/index.html
Learn together this summer!

Paula J. Sanders-Nelson is a 13-year educator, artist, and writer.